Mazda Showing B-Car Concept at Frankfurt

Mazda Motor Corp. will unveil its Sassou (pronounced “sa-so”) 3-door hatchback concept Sept. 13 at the Frankfurt auto show. The Sassou (the name means to have a positive state of mind in Japanese), is a hint at what Mazda's future B-segment car might look like, the auto maker says. Mazda Sassou concept. It features a 1L 3-cyl. turbocharged gasoline engine, which Mazda says has the potential to meet

The Sassou (the name means to have a positive state of mind in Japanese), is a hint at what Mazda's future B-segment car might look like, the auto maker says.

Mazda Sassou concept.

It features a 1L 3-cyl. turbocharged gasoline engine, which Mazda says has the potential to meet European carbon dioxide regulations in the future. The engine shuts down automatically to prevent idling.

Mazda says Sassou is “a lightweight, urban vehicle for young, first time car buyers.” It features Mazda's “zoom, zoom” design language, already visible on vehicles such as the Premacy/Mazda3 and Mazda6.

It has hidden body compartments, adhering to the Shoji sliding screen design principle, which become illuminated, as well as a USB stick as a key, and a “morphing” back seating system that uses compressed air to provide center seating for one person and side seating for two by changing the seat configuration, Mazda says.

The Sassou was created by Mazda's Frankfurt design center and the auto maker says to expect concepts at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show and Detroit auto show that were crafted at its Japanese and U.S. design studios.

Mazda also will show the Mazda MX-Crossport concept in Frankfurt, a facelifted Mazda2, the high-performance Mazda6 MPS and the Mazda6 facelift.